Dryridge fire department in Unity thinks out of the 'basket' when it comes to fundraising during pandemic

Some things were borne out of the coronavirus pandemic. Take volunteer fire department fundraising as one example.

Live raffle drawings for just about anything such as firearms and other merchandise including grilling equipment, porch furniture, Yeti coolers and vacations tip boards for cash. Lottery tickets and food orders are now staples for many area volunteer fire departments on their Facebook Live feeds and do not show signs of disappearing since the recent lifting of most covid-19 restrictions in Pennsylvania.

On Sunday, Dryridge Volunteer Fire Department in Unity held its second annual, four-hour-long “Basket Raffle Bonanza and Tip Board Raffle Blowout” at the fire station.

As the fire department parking lot began filling up with supporters just after noon Sunday, fire Chief Richard Levay smiled when asked about the word “second” yearly basket raffle in relation to the coronavirus pandemic.

“Last year, with the pandemic, we were forced to cancel one of our biggest department fundraisers, our annual cash bash. So, we decided to try a basket raffle,” Levay said.

The raffle could be held outdoors in the parking lot of the fire department along White School Road, allowing for social distancing, and it turned out to be popular, Levay said.

The department made more than $4,000 selling raffle chances to about 40 gift baskets with many donations from area businesses and restaurants, tip board chances and 50-50 tickets.

This year, the ante was upped for the afternoon event with 59 gift basket offerings, plus individual tickets for prizes including $25 chances for a Disney World vacation package worth several thousand dollars, a Polaris UTV, and backyard barbecue equipment. Plus, firefighters were grilling hamburgers and hot dogs and selling drinks and chips.

“Last year turned out to be so popular, they said, ‘Why don’t you do it again?’ So here we are,” Levay said.

He estimated department fundraising fell between $25,000 and $30,000 as a result of the pandemic.

Melissa Dunn of Unity was enjoying the afternoon with her 4-year-old grandson, Ayden Domenic. Dunn’s son, Zach, is a Dryridge firefighter.

Dunn said she didn’t have her eye on any particular gift basket “yet.”

But she quickly added she would be “happy winning anything.”

Paul Fox, who lives in nearby Wendover in Hempfield, was taking a swing around the multitude of gift basket offerings that included rounds of golf at nearby Glengarry and Donegal Highlands courses, car detailing, meals at numerous restaurants and spa treatments, before deciding where to drop his tickets.

“I’m not really looking to win anything. I just think it’s important to get out and support your local fire departments,” Fox said.

Those who missed out on the food, fun and drawings Sunday still have until Sept. 6 to buy a chance to win the Polaris Ranger 1000 UTV. Tickets are available at the fire department at 116 White School Road.

Information on the department is available at https://www.dryridgevfd.com